Shenandoah Nat'l Park backpacking trip over Columbus Day weekend

UPDATE as of 10/5/09:

Due lack of drivers for this trip, I willing to make it a 2 day backpacking trip for just Saturday & Sunday. We can start hiking Saturday morning around 9am and finish on Sunday afternoon around 4pm and be back in the metro area by 10pm Sunday night.

Original Post

One look in any direction will tell you that fall has arrived in the mountains of Virginia, ushering in shorter days and cooler temperatures to this mountaintop park. No matter where you look, you are sure to see the colorful signs of fall. Shenandoah National Park is more than 70 miles long, and due to the varying elevations along the many hollows, ridges and summits on the mountains, it’s impossible to pick a “peak date” for the nearly 200,000 acre park. History has shown that usually around the 2nd to 3rd weeks of October, the colors of fall seem to be at their most brilliant phase in Shenandoah.

Mileage & Camping Sites

The hike will be anywhere from 30 to 33 miles over 3 days. Right now, I plan do to a 32-mile section in the Southern Section of Shenandoah. I have picked out two backcountry sites where we will be camping. Since Shenandoah is extremely popular on this weekend and reservations at the campgrounds are done on a first-come, first-served basis, I may have to change location of the hike depending on the size of the group.

Accommodations & Carpooling

This Saturday (Oct 3rd), I will send out (to everyone who RSVPs as a Yes) an email with information about accommodations & carpooling. Most likely you will be staying in a hostel with an estimated cost of $23 dollars for Friday night. The hostel about a 5 hour drive from the city and a 1 hour to the trailhead in SNP.

Park Fees & Map

SNP charges a $15 fee per vehicle. However, there is no fee for the backcountry permit.

I requiring that everyone buy the - Map 11 AT & and other trails in Shenandoah National Park - which you can purchase at the hostel Saturday morning. It is printed by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. A map should cost anywhere from $6-$10.

Gear List

It is absolutely important that you have all of the following gear:

Map of Shenandoah National Park (you can buy these in VA or online)

3500 cubic inch backpack
Headlamp or flashlight
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
3 liters of water/Gatorade/electrolyte fluid

water filter and/or iodine tablet (steripens are a waste of money)
plenty of food for 3 days (dehydrated food packets preferred)
synthetic clothes (absolutely no cotton or denim)
worn hiking boots with ankle support (new boots will give you blisters)
flip-flops or sandals to change into at base camp

Gaiters
bug repellent with deet
sunscreen
watershell or rain jacket
toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
Toilet Paper or Baby Wipes

stove (your meals will taste better heated)
> it's ok if you don't have a stove, people will share ~
although it is nice to throw them a couple bucks toward buying
a new fuel canister

Tent (we can share if you don't have one)
Trekking Poles (optional)

Again, having these items are non-negotiable. It is dangerous to wear sneakers or trail runners while backpacking. It might be raining and some sections of the trail will be muddy and/or slippery. You will need to wear boots with good ankle support.

Weather

If want to see the weather forecast, just click the link below a couple days before the trip:
http://www.accuweathe...

Although temperatures this week should be fairly nice, mid 60°s or so, it’s important to remember that weather can change quickly in the mountains. Just this past weekend, the wind chills dipped into the upper 20°s! And don’t forget that mountaintop temperatures tend to be a good 10-15 degrees cooler than the surrounding valleys, or even Washington D.C. This temperature difference is especially obvious after the sun goes down for the night.

RSVPs

Please indicate in your RSVP whether you are driving or will you need a ride. Please don't RSVP if you are not sure yet whether you can come. If the RSVP list is full, then just email me and let me know that want to come.

~Kevin
[masked]

BE FOREWARNED: I am not a professional and I do NOT take responsibility for your safety. The New York Backpackers is an AT YOUR OWN RISK organization. There is no fee for this trip. Even though, I am an experienced backpacker and I have hiked in a different section of Shenandoah National Park, I will still be relying on my map & compass. I have no safety or first-aid training, and neither does anyone else on the trip. There is nothing particularly dangerous about this trip, but we will be outdoors. People can hurt themselves in a variety of ways. You also need to be in decent physical condition and to be able to carry your own pack for the entire trip.

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Club Activities Risk Statement:

The activities posted on this site involve varying degrees of danger. When you participate in one on of these activities, you should be both mentally and physically prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved in outdoor activities and conduct yourself accordingly. The organizer is not responsible for your safety, you are. Prior to RSVPing for this event, you are encouraged to discuss your capabilities with the organizer.